The Cape 26 has completed her first sailing programme in the Mediterranean, taking in stops in both Italy and France. After arriving in Genoa in September, the boat headed north to Lake Garda for a week of sailing before continuing on to St Tropez.
On Lake Garda, the Cape 26 found exactly the conditions she was designed for: a strong thermal breeze, flat water, and plenty of opportunity to get the kite up for some proper downwind sailing. The boat was fast, stable, and easy to handle short-handed, with the crew staying fully inboard thanks to the no-hiking cockpit layout. Later sessions in stronger breeze, including some full-send downwind legs captured from a chase boat, showed the same stiffness and control the team saw during the False Bay trials, now with the Alps as a backdrop instead of Table Mountain.
The Cape 26 was hosted for the week by Fraglia Vela Malcesine, whose hospitality and local knowledge of the lake’s wind patterns made for an ideal first outing in Europe.
From Garda, the Cape 26 “Ciao” moved on to St Tropez, sailing bow to bow with one of the J Class fleet, a 130-foot-plus classic against the Cape 26’s 26 feet.
Test sails in Europe are being arranged through Negrinautica, the European distributor, alongside Racing Yachts in the UK. With both the Italian and French legs of the tour complete, the Cape 26 has made a strong first impression across the Mediterranean.
For more information about the Cape 26, please contact Davey at Cape Performance Sailing.
